Putnam In 12th

OPINION - DECISION 2004 - FOR CONGRESS

Republican Adam Putnam of Bartow is the youngest member in Congress, but the 12th District representative already is an up-and-coming leader in the House.

When Mr. Putnam, 30, won his congressional seat in 2000, he had served two terms in the Florida House. Recently, House GOP leaders named him to the powerful Rules Committee.

Mr. Putnam's heavily agricultural district includes a big chunk of Polk County and smaller portions of Osceola and Hillsborough counties. His legislative accomplishments include a measure to support conservation in farming.

Mr. Putnam's Democratic opponent, Bob Hagenmaier of Winter Haven, is a retired research chemist and political novice. He does not offer voters a compelling argument to replace Mr. Putnam.